“My bus pass means I can travel anywhere for free.”

It was eighteen-year-old Jordan-Lee Spencer’s love of cars that led to him studying Vehicle Body at B&FC. Eventually he’d like to start up his own business, customising and fixing up cars and motor bikes. In the meantime, he’s enjoying being at College and making great use of his free bus pass.

“The bus pass is really good to have because I can travel anywhere for free, not just College, which saves me quite a bit of money. I’m lucky because I also get free meals. The Careers Team helped me to sort everything out – everyone’s really helpful.”

Thinking of doing a degree-level course?

Study at degree-level and access the following incentives to help you stretch your budget further:

Nothing to pay upfront

A tuition fee loan to cover your course fees with nothing to repay till you’re earning at least £25,0001 a year

The Parents’ Learning Allowance up to £1,669 a year2

The Adult Dependants’ Grant up to £2,925 a year2

Up to 85% of your childcare costs covered up to £164.70 a week for 1 child and up to £282.36 a week for 2 or more children2

The Disabled Students’ Allowance up to £5,358 (specialist equipment), up to £21,305 a year (non-medical helper) and up to £1,790 a year (general)2

Up to £500 towards the cost of study with our Advantage Bursary3

£1,000 per year of study up to 3 years for all care leavers and young carers with our Access Scholarship3

“Applying for funding was all so easy.”

Being able to afford it was the only thing stopping mum of four Sam Robertson from progressing to the Foundation Degree Family Support and Wellbeing at B&FC. She went to see the Careers Team and was thrilled to learn she was eligible for the Parents’ Learning Allowance, the Adult Dependants’ Grant, the £500 Advantage Bursary and a maintenance loan. With nothing to pay upfront, Sam also gets her childcare costs covered for the two days she attends College. Finally, she can pursue her dream of being a school pastoral worker.

“I couldn’t have done this course without the support I got and the Careers Team were just brilliant – they did it all for me and took me through everything step by step – it was all so easy. Just talk to the team and see how they can help you.”

Aged 19+ and doing a full-time course?

Study a full-time further education course and access the following incentives to help you stretch your budget further:

No upfront fees

The Advanced Learner Loan to cover your course fees with nothing to repay till you’re earning at least £25,000 a year (for further education courses at levels 3-6 only)

“Getting help with childcare costs saved me £606 a month.”

Mum-of-three Emma Swales was inspired to train for a nursing career while watching her new-born son being cared for in neo-natal (she had been made redundant from a management role while pregnant). She enrolled on B&FC’s Access to HE (Nursing and Midwifery) and got an Advanced Learner Loan, which meant nothing to pay upfront.

“The College paid my nursery fees, which saved me £606 a month, and I got £60 a month towards buying books and things. If it wasn’t for this I couldn’t have done the course and the Careers Team were fantastic with me from start to finish.”

Access to HE is a bridging course to degree-level study – if Emma goes on to successfully complete a degree course her Access to HE fees will be refunded in full.

Contact us

Our advisers are here to help with all aspects of funding. Contact us on T 01253 504224 or E SSFunds@blackpool.ac.uk.